Those who are forced into being without an abode and/or dwelling are all to quickly deemed less than citizens. In many regards are even treated as less than human. How about thinking that we are NOT homeless, nor last-class citizens or non-human? We think, have feelings, have intellect and struggle. How would you feel to be thought of as anything less than human just for circumstances due to those of profit/gain/control?

Homeless Youth Will Help Count Their Own - www.Houseless.org

"Houseless", not homeless!

OK, so someone wants to count the "Houseless", but exactly why?

It has all the markings of needing numbers so a new business plan can be written as to get more money to employ more social workers who only bounce about collecting their paychecks.

In the United States of America, with all the hundreds of thousands of religious organizations about, taxpayers should be asking the right questions of why the problem isn't getting handled in a more efficient and better way? Maybe like actually attacking the problem in a more natural way and actually caring, rather than saying the words just to appease the "have nothing" population.

I for one don't need to know how many people are bring forced to live rough when I come across one. OH, that's right, I am one!

If I was in a position to help, I would do so in the righteous manners which my loving parents taught and which I have learned form many years of travels about the earth, as well as, being a devote follower of Scripture.

One very real truth about the United States of America is that it as a whole is very ill and in need of righteous medicine!

Michael Love, IIO

via

Homeless Youth Will Help Count Their Own

Los Angeles County is one of nine municipalities participating in a
nationwide homeless count to help assess the financial needs of homeless
services. This is the first time homeless youth are being used to help
in the count.

In an effort to more accurately represent the number of homeless people under the age of 25 who live in L.A. County, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has enlisted homeless youth to help count their own.

This is the first time the agency is using homeless youth in its
counts, relying on their expertise to help ascertain who is or isn't
homeless.

"Otherwise we would really not know where the homeless youth are
here locally, which is really important for our planning efforts,"
said Mark Silverbush, LAHSA policy and planning analyst.
LAHSA, a joint authority comprised of the City and County of Los
Angeles, has partnered with several other homeless services
organizations to provide the youth volunteers.

Up to 100 homeless youth will be recruited to help in the counting effort being conducted the morning of Jan. 22.

Homeless youth tend to keep later hours and counting them during
school hours also helps to prevent duplication during the regular street
counts, held Jan. 29-31, said Silverbush.

During the street count, volunteers will deploy with clip boards and
tally sheets. They will look for obvious signs of homelessness like
encampments and tents, in addition to situations where people are living
in vans or RV's. During the regular counts, little to no conversation
occurs between the counters and the counted, said Silverbush.

The youth count is different.

"The youth are allowed to ask questions of the other youth to
ascertain whether the youth is homeless or not," said Silverbush.
"Sometimes that can be confusing. Although with their expertise, they're
able to know easier than those other [volunteers] would be able to."

Most of the homeless youth in Los Angeles County became homeless
here, said Silverbush. In most cases they have their own children. Those
that have children tend to be female, otherwise they're alone, he said.

In February, The LAHSA will conduct a demographics survey, where
homeless people will be asked a number of questions pertaining to their
health and safety. Like with the homeless count, the information
collected will be used in advocacy for homeless services.

Runaway and Homeless Youth
- Through the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHY), the Family and
Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) supports street outreach, emergency
shelters and longer-term transitional living and maternity group home
programs to serve and protect these young people.

Maternity Group Home Program
- Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) promotes safety, stability,
and well-being for people who have experienced or been exposed to
violence, neglect or trauma.

Street Outreach Program -The Street Outreach Program enables organizations around the country to help young people get off the streets.

Transitional Living Program (TLP)
- Transitional Living Programs support projects that provide long-term
residential services to homeless youth. The program accepts youth ages
16-21. Exceptions are granted which allow youth to remain in the
program until they reach the age of 18, even if that time exceeds the
21-month limitation.

YouthBuild
- The YouthBuild program provides funds to non-profit organizations to
provide an alternative education pathway and teach occupational skills
training for low-income youth ages 16-24 who have been adjudicated, are
aging out of foster care, or who are high school dropouts.